Meet this week’s In Field Friday, Justin Taylor. Justin is from Lancaster, Ohio and is a current student at ATI. He is studying animal sciences with a specialization in beef. He is currently working two summer internships with Muskingum Livestock Auction Co. in Zanesville, Ohio and at Ruff Farms in Malta, Ohio.

There’s no such thing as a normal day of work for Justin—every day brings something different to the table. On most days his tasks include sorting off fat cattle for the different livestock auctions that happen at Muskingum Livestock, along with assisting with the flow of the different sales that take place at the sale barn by helping load and unload trucks.

On slow days at the sale barn, Justin shifts to his other job at Ruff Farms. There Justin helps with the making of hay and other farm tasks that need completed. One of Justin’s favorite things to do is ride around with his boss at the sale barn and learn about different aspects of the beef cattle industry.

Justin’s advice for future students is to take college seriously but still remember to have fun once in a while. “Make sure you get off to a good start with college. Having a decent GPA after my first two semesters really helped me once I started taking more difficult classes. With that, be sure you still make time for friends, clubs and a little bit of fun to help you handle the stress of college.”

Justin had one more piece of advice for all of us: “One of our biggest responsibilities as people who are looking for a career in agriculture is educating consumers, especially in animal agriculture. I always try to take any opportunity I have to discuss the beef industry and my involvement in it. You can really change a person’s point of view when they see how passionate you are about what you do and that you’re willing to answer any questions they may have.”

This week’s In the Field Friday is Lauren Burner from Findlay, Ohio. Lauren is a 2019 graduate of Ohio State ATI, with a degree in community leadership and extension education. Lauren will be transiting to Columbus in the fall to finish her bachelor’s degree. She is currently interning at Ohio State Extension for Paulding and Hancock County.

Lauren has loved the different experiences this internship has allowed her to do. One of her favorite things is being able to work alongside Glen Arnold, who is the manure nutrient field specialist at The Ohio State University. She has learned how to conduct research when it comes to applying liquid livest ock manure, in replacement of commercially purchased fertilizer on wheat and corn fields. She also learned about the value of the nutrients in the manure.

The second part of Lauren’s internship is working with the agriculture and natural resource side of Paulding and Hancock County 4-H Extension offices. This has allowed her to take part in working the 2019 Paulding County Fair, attending 4-H camp, and assisting in different agriculture and natural resource events and functions such as the Paulding County Master Gardeners plant sale and fertilizer recertification class.

Lauren’s advice to future students is “never be afraid to take those steps outside of your comfort zone. It can lead to great networking experiences which allow for the foundation to be built and help take those steps in finding the job that fits best. Be willing to take adventures because you never know where an opportunity might lead you or what door might open.”

Her final advice to all students is to remember “the best is yet to come.”

This week’s In the Field Friday is Devin Herman. Devin is originally from Edgerton, Ohio. He is a recent graduate from Ohio State ATI with associate of applied science degrees in turfgrass management and landscape horticulture. Devin currently works for the Cincinnati Reds as their grounds crew intern.

A day for Devin includes maintenance of the field including mowing, edging, painting lines, and handling maintenance outside of the stadium, which includes taking care of the flowers and trimming trees. He also gets to work during Reds games and other events held at the stadium.

Devin’s advice to students is, “Work hard, prepare for long hours, and network with everyone in and out of your field. The name of the company or organization doesn’t mean anything if you don’t get to experience everything your job has to offer.”